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April 17, 2008
Joe Lombardi has been selected as one of eight coaches for the second annual Collegiate Basketball Invitational, an all-star tournament featuring players from NCAA Division II and III as well as the NAIA. The three-day event will be held April 24-26 in Wadsworth, Ohio, and will feature 65 of the top seniors from across the country. The group includes PSAC Players of the Year Ryan McLemore of Edinboro and Charlie Parker of Millersville and Pitt Johnstown standout Chris Gilliam. Each of the eight teams will play three games over the first two days of the tournament, with the championship game scheduled for April 25 at 8 p.m. The CBI will conclude with an all-star game the following evening and will be televised live by ESPNU. "It is a privilege to be asked to coach in the Collegiate Basketball Invitational for a second year," said Lombardi, who recently concluded his second season as the head coach at IUP. "It was a gratifying and eye opening experience to coach some of the best senior basketball players at this level in the country." The CBI is an opportunity for the players to demonstrate their abilities in front of professional team representatives, including teams from overseas, agents and the national media. "The tournament is run in a first class manner and the games are extremely competitive," said Lombardi. "It gives me a great perspective on the level of upperclassmen necessary to compete at the national level." |
